www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship Old-Ritualists Forum Surviving in the Siberian Wilderness for 70 Years (Trailer)

In 1936, a family of Russian Old Believers journeyed deep into Siberia's vast taiga to escape persecution and protect their way of life. The Lykovs eventually settled in the Sayan Mountains, 160 miles from any other sign of civilization. In 1943, Agafia Lykov was born into this wilderness. Today, she is the last surviving Lykov, remaining steadfast in her seclusion. In this episode of Far Out, the VICE crew travels to Agafia to learn about her taiga lifestyle and the encroaching influence of the outside world.

Vice is a Montreal-based magazine focused on international arts and culture. Vice's videos and documentaries are available for viewing on the internet, with the intention of circumventing network intervention over content issues and allowing for a global, free-of-charge distribution plan akin to that of the magazine. Over the past year or two, Vice has achieved a very strong following through their YouTube channel, currently numbering over 1,000,000 subscribers.

We'll have to wait and see how they will treat Agafia and her Old Believer beliefs.

Very interesting, Tom. I've watched several videos/documentaries by Vice - and been both impressed and unimpressed at various times. So, it remains to be seen how this will turn out. Hopefully, it will go well.

As you and I, and many others who have followed the story of the Lykovs over the years, all know, Agafia has committed to living a difficult life for her beliefs, even after the repose of all her family members, and I'd be most unhappy to see that it would be disrespected in any way.

Many years,

Neil

In the first two parts of Far Out, the VICE crew travels to the taiga to learn about Agafia's lifestyle and the encroaching influence of the outside world.

In part one, the VICE crew leaves New York on their long journey to Siberia. After withstanding all the unexpected delays, they finally find themselves in a helicopter flying over the vast taiga to meet Agafia.



In part two, we see that despite the fact that Agafia is nearing 70 years old, she works tirelessly day in and day out to keep up her home. She starts her morning with prayers and then tends to her animals, collects firewood, prepares food, and even fends off the occasional bear.



The next two parts are not yet available.

Meet the last Lykov:

http://www.vice.com/read/meet-the-last-lykov-000001-v20n4?Contentpage=-1

Thank you, Tom

Many years,

Neil

In Part 3 we meet Agafia's neighbor, Yerofei, who has lived by the river near her cabins for the past sixteen years. He was part of the second wave of geologists who spent time visiting the Lykovs in the late 1970s, and eventually made the taiga his home after losing his right leg. Agafia has continued to care for him since he moved.



In Part 4 we see how the outside world has crept into Agafia's life in a number of ways. Media attention, news and falling rocket debris have altered her perception of herself and the society she remains outside of, but overall Agafia's daily-to-day hasn't changed much. She maintains an almost childlike optimism that's made most evident through the smile she almost always has on her face.



Throughout all of these segments, I was most impressed with Agafia's peace and joy. The producer calls it her "optimism", but it is really her Christian faith. She trusts and loves the Lord. God is with her and watches over her until she returns to Him. Let us all remember her in our prayers.

Absolutely fascinating

Thanks for posting this .